49ers exercise Aldon Smith's 2015 option

May 2, 2014
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by Lindsay H. Jones, USA TODAY Sports

by Lindsay H. Jones, USA TODAY Sports

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The San Francisco 49ers have decided to keep troubled outside linebacker Aldon Smith under contract through 2015 by picking up the fifth-year option on his contract.

For football reasons, picking up the option was an easy decision, after Smith racked up 42 sacks in his first three seasons, including 19.5 in 2012. But nothing about Smith has been easy lately as a series of off-field issues have threatened his health and career.

Smith went through treatment for substance abuse last fall after an early-morning drunken driving arrest, and last month he was arrested after causing a disturbance at Los Angeles International Airport. Charges are pending in both incidents, as well as weapons charges stemming from a 2012 house party.

Picking up the fifth-year option is a low-risk move for the Niners, who are now in line to pay Smith $9.75 million in 2015. That salary is guaranteed only for injury, and the team could release him for football, salary cap or other reasons without penalty.

Only eleven of the other first-round picks from 2011 have not have their option exercised. That group includes Minnesota quarterback Christian Ponder and Tennessee quarterback Jake Locker, both of whom will play this year for new head coaches, and Detroit defensive tackle Nick Fairley.

The deadline for teams to exercise the option for first-round picks from the 2011 draft is at midnight ET.